Odd Electrical Issues
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Tacoma WA
Odd Electrical Issues
Got a '79 Vette that is giving me some weird electrical issues. First, the dash lights didn't work for a bit then came on but later went blank. Next, my directionals worked for a bit then no longer worked. The dash lights and the directionals never worked together. Then all of sudden, when I press my brakes the two directional lights on the dash will light up and the marker lights on the outside get brighter.
Is my car possessed or something? I haven't done any work on the electrical, nor made any changes, but want to get started on that very soon. It sucks driving at night since I can't see the dashboard gauges.
Is my car possessed or something? I haven't done any work on the electrical, nor made any changes, but want to get started on that very soon. It sucks driving at night since I can't see the dashboard gauges.
3rd Gear
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Bad ground?
You may have a bad ground, my 61 used to have similar problems & it was due to a bad ground strap. Check to see if you have a ground strap from the engine to the frame. If it has a strap cleanup both ends where it contacts the engine & frame & reinstall it.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Tacoma WA
Are you talking from the battery to the frame? Or elsewhere? To be honest, I am a novice but am learning a ton working on this car. Also as a side note, the other day my radio went out and came back on for no apparent reason. Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
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From: Central Texas
Limping across the line
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,295
Likes: 109
From: Peoria Az
Hers something that many are unaware of.
Generally If you have no dash lights you also do not have tail lights.
Check for a shorted bulb in one of your tail sockets
This means your brake light circuit is using your directionals for its ground.
Start by checking then removing tail light bulbs(1 at a time).
Its not uncommon for a turn signal switch to fail and cause these issues as well
Generally If you have no dash lights you also do not have tail lights.
Check for a shorted bulb in one of your tail sockets
when I press my brakes the two directional lights on the dash will light up and the marker lights on the outside get brighter.
Start by checking then removing tail light bulbs(1 at a time).
Its not uncommon for a turn signal switch to fail and cause these issues as well
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